“everything is becoming normal and every day is becoming easier and easier.”

“we have had a tough week with a lot of skating and we are excited to get into the real thing and play games. You gotta come out of the gates fast.”

12:55PM: Ryan Callahan said:

“I think a lot of guys got their work done before the lockout. It just goes to show that everyone was working for when the season is getting started.”

On Nash, “he has meshed right in with our guys.”

12:52PM: John Tortorella said:

You can see the guys getting geared up. We have probably had 6 or 7 really good days of practice. You can only practice so much, but they want to play. Our conditioning is getting there. I am really comfortable with the mindset of the team. They will be ready to play.

“I wanted to condition today. We need to be careful and not give them too much. Richie wanted to do 4 on 3 and I said no, it’s too much.”

On Nash, “He came in early. He understands all the little nuances. He is much more comfortable. He just has an inner intensity about him. This is where he wants to be. It’s a different city, it’s a different situation. It’s a perfect time for him to be with us.”

12:45PM: Shootout recap:

Gaborik STOPPED by Lundqvist

Hagelin beats Biron

Arron Asham beats Lundqvist

Rick Nash STOPPED by Biron

Stu Bickel STOPPED by Lundqvist

Michael Del Zotto STOPPED by Biron

Mike Rupp STOPPED by Lundqvist

Chris Krieder MISSES the puck and doesn’t get a shot off on Biron

Steve Eminger beats Lundqvist with a top shelf goal

Brian Boyle makes a lot of moves but leaves the puck behind and doesn’t get a shot off on Biron

12:36PM: Chris Kreider broke up a play and Ryan McDonagh picked up the puck and scored shorthanded on Marty Biron.

12:34PM: Dave says that Marc Staal played outdoors with his brothers and some neighbors during the lockout in Thunder Bay.

12:32PM: Joe says that Marc Staal revealed that he shouldn’t have played in the Winter Classic, but he was so excited to get back.

12:23PM: Dave Maloney says that people need to have patience with Chris Kreider as he gets used to playing in the defensive zone. Maloney says that the Rangers depth gives him time to develop.

12:06PM: Dave Maloney says that John Tortorella is clearly a strong leader.

12PM: Dave Maloney thinks that Michael Del Zotto could be a difference maker for the Rangers on defense. Joe said “I think he showed last year what he has inside of him. He took it upon himself to get ready for his third year.”

Sam Rosen says that Del Zotto has a better understanding of the game at this point in his career. He adds that John Tortorella has been highly complimentary of Del Zotto during training camp.

11:44AM: Jeff Gorton joined the show and said:

On Arron Asham, “we always liked the player. We like the toughness, he can play up in the lineup.”

On Taylor Pyatt, “We feel like he is coming into his own. He can really skate and play a role for us.”

If Redden clears waivers he can play in Hartford or we can buy him out.

“The coach is a very big piece of the puzzle. He gives us that style and he gave them a certain identity and didn’t stand for anything less.”

11:28AM: Carl Hagelin and Jeff Halpern worked on deflecting pucks earlier in the week. Hagelin also said that he didn’t know how to take a slap shot until he was a junior in college.

11:21AM: Marian Gaborik is skating with Ryan Callahan and Derek Stepan. Dave Maloney says that putting Gaborik on the left side provides more depth and makes the Rangers a deeper team when they separate Gaborik and Rick Nash.

11:12AM: On MSG, they showed Brad Richards taking part in the Rangers practice today.

Today is his first full day of practice with the team after missing the first three days with the flu.

On the PP, Joe Micheletti said that Nash has the size to go to the front of the net and make plays. Dave Maloney says that Nash is a “long man” and that shutdown defensemen will need to worry about Gaborik and Nash.

Joe said, “this is a player who is so thrilled to be here. He has had such a tremendous career. Now he wants a chance to win the Stanley Cup. He has that excitement about being here and getting that opportunity on this team.”